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Although Windows 8 is available, many still prefer Windows 7. If you're among those struggling to install it, fret not! Today, I'll guide you through installing Windows 7 without needing a DVD or USB.
Installing Windows 7 from HDD: Your Complete Guide
Guide: How to Install Windows 7 from Your HDD, Setup Windows 7 for Your PC
Installing Windows 7 from your HDD eliminates the need for DVDs or USBs and safeguards against drive failures. While it may pose a challenge for some, it offers distinct advantages over other methods.
If HDD installation isn't your preference, consider installing Windows 7 from a DVD, provided your DVD drive is functional. This method has been a longstanding, widely-used approach.
Another option for installing Windows 7 is via USB. With a compact USB drive at hand, installation becomes as straightforward as using a DVD.
Upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7 is a smart move. For those still on XP, upgrading to Win 7 unlocks new features and enhances data security compared to the outdated XP. The upgrade process is simple and can be done independently.
In this article, Mytour will guide you on how to install Windows 7 from your HDD.
Preparation steps for installing Windows 7 from your HDD:
- Your computer is currently running an operating system such as Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8.
- Install a file extraction program: Winrar or 7ZIP (you can choose from the top 10 best file compression software).
- Ensure that the partition where you will install (drive C) is formatted as NTFS.
- Lastly, acquire the Windows 7 file. You can download it from the Microsoft official website, computer forums, or copy it from another machine. Make sure to choose the appropriate version (32-bit or 64-bit). If you haven't decided, select one of the following:
+ Download Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit
+ Download Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
System Requirements:
- Processor: 1GHz or higher
- RAM: 1GB or higher (for 32-bit version) and 2GB or higher (for 64-bit version)
- Drive (C) requires at least 20GB of free space
How to Install Windows 7 from HDD
Step 1: Close all running programs. Ensure your Windows 7 file is in a different partition than the one you intend to install. Extract the installation file using your preferred decompression software. Here, Mytour utilizes 7ZIP for extraction.
Step 2: After extraction, you'll find the folder structure as shown below:
Click and run the setup.exe file. You'll be presented with the following interface:
Step 3: Click Install Now to initiate the setup process.
Installation process begins
Step 4: After waiting a few minutes, the screen will appear as follows:
Step 5: The Install Windows window appears with two main options:
- Go online to get the latest updates for installation: Allows Windows 7 installation but requires an Internet connection. Update process takes time.
- Do not get the latest updates for installation: Install Windows 7 from HDD even without Internet connection.
Here, select Do not get the latest updates for installation.
Step 6: Click I accept the license terms to agree to the terms and conditions set forth by Microsoft. You must agree to proceed with Windows 7 installation.
Click Next
Step 7: Choose one of the 2 installation types: Upgrade and Custom
- Upgrade: Install upgrade version
- Custom (Advanced): Advanced options
Select Custom Advanced.
Step 8: Select a specific partition to install Windows 7. After selection, click Next.
Step 9: Here, you'll receive a notification that you're installing Windows over the current Windows version. If you proceed, after installation, all old Windows data will be moved to a folder named: windows.old in the new Windows directory.
Click OK to confirm, then click Next to begin file copying.
Let the installation process proceed automatically. After file copying and extraction, Windows will automatically restart and continue with further installations until completion. You only need to wait until the screen prompts for region selection, username setup, timezone selection, and active windows if you don't have a key, choose activate later. At this point, consider the installation of Windows 7 from HDD complete.
However, the Windows 7 installed on your machine is not genuine and will have many features restricted.
Step 10: After completing the installation, the final step is to deal with the remaining files of the old operating system that you've overwritten. Open My Computer, navigate to the drive where Win7 is installed, and you'll see a folder named windows.old.
Press Shift + Delete to permanently delete the entire windows.old folder. Exercise caution before performing this action as data from the old operating system will be lost.
That's it! You've completed the installation of Windows 7 from HDD! Now, return to the Desktop screen to see any changes in Windows. Additionally, instead of a fresh Windows 7 installation, you can ghost Windows 7 through various methods and gain access to many pre-installed licensed software in the Windows 7 ghost file.
